Answers issued to Members on 13 August 2007
[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh. Contents
Questions to the Minister for Sustainability and Housing
Questions to the Minister for Sustainability and Housing
Joyce Watson (Mid and West Wales): What assessment has the Minister made of homelessness in mid and west Wales? (WAQ50275)
The Minister for Sustainability and Housing (Jane Davidson): I am pleased to report that significant progress is being made in tackling homelessness in mid and west Wales. Homelessness statistics collected by local authorities in mid and west Wales show that applications fell by 44 per cent between the first quarter of 2005 and the same quarter of 2007. Over this two year period, the number of these applicants found to be unintentionally homeless and in priority need declined by 34 per cent, while the number of households in bed-and-breakfast accommodation dropped by 35 per cent.
These figures indicate that we are heading in the right direction in relation to the objectives in our national homelessness strategy. Each of the authorities in your area are increasingly focusing their efforts on preventing homelessness, and working in partnership with the voluntary sector to help people to find and retain suitable accommodation.
We are supporting this agenda through legislation, guidance, funding and support for good practice. In particular, we are providing funding of £1,398,000 for 23 projects in mid and west Wales, which are aimed at tackling and reducing homelessness, and include homelessness education work, outreach services, housing advice and bond schemes. In addition, over £5 million is being spent on Supporting People services to help vulnerable people to sustain their accommodation.
I recognise the continuing difficulties that arise from the overheated housing market and the shortages of available affordable accommodation in mid and west Wales. That is why we are committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing, including social housing, which will have a positive impact on this problem in your area.
I am confident that we can build on this progress in the coming years to reduce and minimise the misery of homelessness in mid and west Wales.
Joyce Watson (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the state of flood defences in mid and west Wales? (WAQ50276)
Jane Davidson: Responsibility for Wales’s principal flood defences lies with the Environment Agency. These defences are regularly inspected and their condition is recorded. This information is used to develop maintenance programmes and to ensure that flood risks are appropriately managed.
While the Environment Agency is responsible for the majority of flood defences in Wales, there are flood defences that are operated by others, such as local authorities. The Environment Agency is extending its current inspection programmes to include such flood defences in the future.
The Environment Agency reported that, in 2006, over 93 per cent of its existing flood defence assets were in either fair, good or very good condition. This assessment is supported by the network’s general performance, which, over recent years, has delivered the protection for which it was designed. Where flooding has occurred, defences have generally been overtopped. In recent weeks, defences have again been tested and have performed satisfactorily.
Flood and coastal risk is forecast to increase and Welsh Assembly Government funding for such work has increased from £15 million in 1999 to £33 million in 2007/08 in response. In mid and west Wales, the Environment Agency is spending £2.5 million this year, £3 million next year and £4.6 million the following year on improvements. Local authorities that also receive Welsh Assembly Government funding currently have £3.5 million of flood and coastal improvement schemes ongoing in the area and applications for major coastal defence schemes at Tywyn, Borth and Aberaeron are under discussion.
Janet Ryder (North Wales): How can the public access the inventory of ancient woodland in Wales? (WAQ50278)
Jane Davidson: The inventory of ancient woodland for Wales is managed by the Countryside Council for Wales and can be accessed through the following website link: http://www-library.ccw.gov.uk (type in the keywords 'ancient woodland inventory’)
If any difficulty is experienced in accessing this information via the CCW website, then contact library@ccw.gov.uk (or telephone the librarian on 01248 385522) for further assistance.
Janet Ryder (North Wales): What assessment has been made of the impact of nitrate run-off onto adjoining traditional hay meadows and woodland, especially ancient woodland? (WAQ50279)
Jane Davidson: No research has been commissioned by either the Welsh Assembly Government or Forestry Commission Wales on the impact of nitrate run-off onto adjoining traditional hay meadows or ancient woodland. Most research into this area is commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency.
Forestry Commission Great Britain has produced a discussion paper regarding the impact of nitrogen on woodlands entitled 'How extensive are the impacts of nitrogen pollution in Great Britain’s forests?’. This paper is available for download from the forestry commission website at: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/FR0102nitro.pdf/$FILE/FR0102nitro.pdf
If any difficulty is experienced accessing this information, please contact the forestry commission library services at enquiries@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or ring 0845 3673787 for assistance.